The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has acquired the Opportunity, a 276,736 DWT vessel originally built in 1989. Measuring 322 meters in length and 58 meters in width, the Australian-flagged ship had been used in offshore operations for years before being anchored in Singapore for nearly a decade.
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has before stated, “It will be in Turkey in about 2 months. It is 300 meters long and 58 meters wide. This platform, which will produce enough natural gas for 5 million households, will stay there for 15-20 years. It is almost like a base. It will depart next week and arrive in Turkey. It is enough for them when they see that base."
The vessel, which was transported by the Boka Vanguard—one of the world’s largest offshore transport vessels—departed Singapore in mid-July, en route to Turkey. Royal Boskalis Westminster, a Netherlands-based maritime company, was tasked with overseeing the transportation.
She Is in Dardanelles
The Boka Vanguard has now transited the Dardanelles, heading toward İÇDAŞ Port, where the Opportunity will undergo maintenance.
The ship's arrival has drawn attention from residents of Çanakkale as it passes through the region.
Turkey’s Investment in Offshore
Turkey made a huge investment in offshore gas exploration in the last 15 years. Following the overhaul, it is expected that the vessel will be renamed and prepared for its new role in the Sakarya Gas Field, marking an addition to Turkey’s fleet of six vessels currently engaged in drilling operations.
